I’ve had a ton of energy the last few days so on a whim I decided to use my beach route for a fartlek run last night. This means crossing the bridge twice. No idea what I was thinking!
Why do bridges always look so small in pictures?!
Naturally as soon as I got to the base of the bridge one of my hard intervals started. I’ll be honest with you and say that most days I just power walk up the bridge. On a very good day I’ll jog lightly up it. Tonight I just focused my eyes on the back of Speedy Blue Shirt’s back and powered my way up it.
It didn’t kill me and now I know I can do it which is a huge mental gain! I always thought if I tried to run to the top I would use up all my energy, but it turns out it’s really not SO bad. I may do bridge repeats … someday… in the future.
After the bridge it’s all smooth sailing along the beach.
One time I looked down at my Garmin and saw 7:48 pace … I only held it for about 20 seconds but HEY that’s a first! Not really sure where that strong burst of energy came from except that all the other runners at the beach usually get me extra excited about life.
I always run alone but deep down I think I would LOVE running with other people because I love seeing other people run. Then again I can be pretty antisocial so maybe not : )
Epitome of my antisocial life.
Reminder to self: order the above shirt and wear on Friday nights. And Saturday nights.
I actually don’t think I’m antisocial, I think I’m just getting old! Sounds a bit dramatic, but really there’s nothing better to me than relaxing on a Friday night at home with Adam and Cecil.
Ahhh, Friday nights…. only three days until the weekend. We can do this!
Do you prefer to run alone or with a friend / group? Does it depend on whether you’re doing a long run or speedwork?
– I could maybe see myself doing a long run with someone, but speedwork would be hard!
Yay for you! I think you crossed a huge mental block! Running hills is SO GOOD for you! And, I am lazy as anything on the weekends and would always prefer to hang with the doggies 😉
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I think so too! I was really surprised at how easy it was going up, the first time anyway. On the way back it wasn’t so easy 🙂
…you know what they say, the fastest way to strength/endurance gains are hill repeats–I see bridge repeats in your future…Good job!
I run with my husband a couple times a week, and I have to say at some point in the workout I am usually mad (just an inner battle)–because I am tired–he really pushes me. He is also great about knowing how hard to push me…l am a lucky girl.
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That is so great! Adam is the same for me, only with regards to weights. He doesn’t let me wimp out.
I wish he would run with me too since he is much faster than me, but he dislikes running so much. He does about one 5K a year, two if I’m lucky 🙂
Congrats on conquering that bridge and 740 pace is still 740 pace no matter how long your holding it for.
Groups??? Did you sneak a peak at my blog lol??? Group runs are huge. After watching some of the documentaries on the Kenyan’s I see how beneficial group training can be. I get the sane excited feeling you do and really enjoy seeing other runners form, speed, etc.
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Haha yes! I need to join Mrs. Schlub’s running group! Could she move it to Florida for the summer? 🙂
Hills really do always look smaller in pictures! I can imagine that that bridge is giant! Every year in college my track team went to Florida for spring break and those bridges were always so hard to run over! 🙂
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Haha as I was getting close to the top of the bridge I thought “Coach Lauren should give me double points for this!” 😀
Definitely no speed work but long runs with company is awesome. You are so lucky you get to run along the beach! I get to run on the beach maybe 2 days a year when I’m on vaycay. The sand is SO hard. I need that shirt, by the way. I understand the thing about getting older and wanting to just relax more.
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Running along the beach is great because the views are gorgeous and there is almost always a nice breeze! I wish we had some trails though so I could vary it up.
I am seriously considering ordering that shirt! 😀
I usually run alone but I have loved running with my 13 year old some lately so who knows, maybe I will get back into group runs occasionally!
I’m with you – I love the evenings that we are home with nothing on the agenda!!!
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It’s so awesome that your son has gotten into running! You must be such a proud mom!
i can totally picture the kind of bridge that is! good work girl! those are NO joke.
yea, i need that shirt, only with a baby on it. cause that’s my excuse to get out of almost all social situations :). i’m pretty sure it’s cause i’m lazy.
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Haha yes, come to think of it “lazy” is probably a good word to describe my situation as well. The idea of having to select an appropriate outfit and do my hair and makeup is zzzZzzzz for me these days 🙂
Love that shirt! Haha, that’s gold. 🙂
Great work with your bridge / hill work mate! Woohoo!
And, I’ve said it before (I think anyway. Have thought it anyway haha) and I’ll say it again: you have the best spot to be running to/around. I really miss being close to the beach and ocean hey.
🙂
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Thank you! 😀
Come visit me and I can follow you up the bridge!
Conquering hills is always an awesome feeling. I feel like I do nothing but run up and down hills where I live and how to go to a track if I want to run flat. 🙂 Congrats on getting strong and more confident! I am definitely the type of person that likes to run alone, unless I am doing speed-work. Running intervals with others always pushes me a little more.
Yaaaa for getting faster! That’s how it starts 🙂 You will able to sustain that pace longer and longer. Great job on conquering the bridge!
I love running alone, but when I need motivation, joining friends really helps. I LOVE running bridges. I always feel dead afterward, but I also know I had a great workout. Awesome job on your pace!!